Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1887-11-02
IMPORTED ELO0UENCE.
The Changes * New York Divines Within
the Past Twenty Years.
Nashville American


NEW YORK, Oct. 2l.-The droll attempt
to spply the law prohibiting the "impor-
tation OF foreign contract labor" to the
case of an Episcopal clergyman brought
from England under contract to fill the
place of rector OF the Church OF the
Holy Trinity, reminds me of curious
change that has taken place in New YORK
since the close OF the war. One cannot
help being astonished st the number OF
leading clergymen in the city who nave
been brought over here from abroad to
fill the pulpits OF our fashionable
churches. Take few facts. In my
boyhood, the lesding clergyman OF the
Episcopal denomination here IVES
the Rev. DR.. Tying, an American by birth;
but now that place is held by
The leading clergyman of the Presbyte-
Spring, American by birth; but now that
Belfast Irishman, discovered by Robert
Bonner. The leading clergyman Of the
CongregationalIst denomination was the
Rev. DR.. Joseph Thompson, an American
by birth; but now the place is held by the
here as Mr.. Thompson's successor in the
Tabernacle. The leading clergyman Of
the Unitarian church was the Rev. DR..
Bellows, a born American; but now that
place is held by the Rev. Robert
Collyer, an Euglishman who came over
here some years ago. The leading clergy
man of the Dutch Reformed church
was the Rev. Dr.. Vermilyee, of old Amer
lean stock, but now the place is held by
the Rev. DR.. Ormiston, q lsrge-heRded
Scotchman who came to this country
"under contract" The leading clergy
man Of the Beecherite faith was it's re-
nowned founder, Henry Ward Beecher,
but now even Plymouth church has been
DESTROYS Of securing the services OF the
Rev. DR.. Parker of England IS Mr.
Beecher's successor. If we go down
from such famous men as those just
named to the lesser lights Of the New
York pulpit, we find the change in the
same direction to be still more remark
ale. Almost every year clergymen sre
brought over from the British Isles for
some of our churches.
Why this dearth of acceptable clergy
men of American birth in these days,
when they used to be so abundant in
other times? There is no such scarcity
of ability and eloquence in politics or the
law as to compel US to import supply
from Gbroad; why should there be a
scarcity Of talent in the pulpit? We have
plenty Of theological schools for training
clergymen of 6ll denominations, and
several thousands of young theologians
who ought to be well equipped must be
turned out from them every year. The
professors in these institutions cannot
be less competent than those in similar
institutions abroad, and it csnnot be ad-
mitted thst the pupils are any way inferior
to those who are preparing for the cleri-
cal profession IN Great Britain. There
is something incomprehersible in this
business. The salaries paid to the lead
ing lights Sre large, and the clergy enjoy
many perquisites which highly Increases
their emoluments. Besides the financial
inducements the men of the cloth enjoy
social standing, with opportunities Of
winning fame, such SIS are not easily Sc
cured IN other vocatious.
am not aware that the experience OF
other American cities is like that Of New
York in this matter, but sny further dis
cussion of the subject must be left to the
religious papers, which ought to trace it
to the roots and furnish Us the bottom
facts. We ought surely to be able to
supply our o w pulpit with all the talent
that may be needed. JOHN SWINToN.